Afghanistan Peace CampaignStanikzai stated that currently there is enough water to meet the needs of Afghan citizens, not an amount that would be diverted towards Iran.
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, reiterated on Saturday that the Islamic Emirate is committed to paying Iran’s water rights in accordance with the 1973 pact between the two nations.
Stanikzai stated that currently there is enough water to meet the needs of Afghan citizens, not an amount that would be diverted towards Iran.
“You are better aware of the drought situation. Most of the time there is no rain, no snow. And sometimes if there is water, it is not enough to release to Iran because it does not solve our internal problems,” Abbas Stanikzai said.
The deputy minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that in case of an increase in water in the Helmand River and the resolution of citizens’ challenges in this regard, it will honor Iran’s water rights.
He also responded to criticism from some Iranian authorities regarding water payments, stating that the acting Afghan government never intended to ruin its relations with Iran over water.
“They may sometimes have harsh words; I won’t say anything else in response to those harsh words, just that when we have excess water, we will give our Iranian brothers their water rights,” Stanikzai added.
Tensions between Iran and Afghanistan have been simmering over water rights from the Helmand River for over a decade, and these tensions have escalated since the return of the Islamic Emirate, prompting internal and external reactions.
Analysts have different views about the solution of this issue between the two countries.
“This requires both sides to engage in technical discussions and create a peaceful space to establish the position of both parties based on international laws,” said Sayed Muqadam Amin, an international relations analyst.
“Efforts should be made for both sides to resolve this issue through technical means and dialogue and not turn the issue of water rights into a contentious matter,” said Shaker Yaqoubi, an expert on economic issues.
Previously, Iran’s representative in the twenty-seventh Helmand River Commission meeting had demanded the allocation of Iran’s water rights by the Islamic Emirate.